30 JUL 2020 The Mission to Seafarers’ latest Seafarer Happiness Index survey shows growing levels of stress and unease amongst the seafaring community due to the COVID-19 crisis, the maritime charity reported Wednesday. An estimated 200,000 to 300,000 seafarers are stuck on board because of government policies that prohibit regular …
Read More »HONG KONG SHIPPERS AND DUBAI SPEAK OUT ON CREW CHANGE CHALLENGES
29 JUL 2020 Three weeks after coming together to address the challenges imposed on seafarers due to the travel restrictions due to COVID-19, countries around the world continue to struggle with permitting crew changes while seeking to continue to mitigate the spread of the virus. Several countries have been forced …
Read More »U.S. VOWS TO HELP JAPAN MONITOR ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ CHINESE INCURSION AROUND DISPUTED EAST CHINA SEA ISLANDS
28 JUL 2020 The U.S. military will help Japan monitor “unprecedented” Chinese incursions around East China Sea islands controlled by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing as Chinese boats prepare to begin fishing in nearby waters, the commander of U.S. Forces Japan said on Wednesday. “The United States is 100 percent …
Read More »DP WORLD SAYS OUTLOOK UNCERTAIN AS VOLUMES FALL
27 JUL 2020 Global port operator DP World recorded a fall of 8.8% in second quarter container volumes, warning on Monday the outlook remained uncertain. The coronavirus pandemic shut cities and factories worldwide for months, disrupting shipments and global supply chains, while some cities are now reintroducing curbs after a …
Read More »GOLDEN RAY SALVAGE SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID-19, HURRICANE SEASON
26 JUL 2020 The Unified Command overseeing the wreck removal of the Golden Ray in St. Simons Sound has announced that work will be suspended due to combined impacts of hurricane season and the COVID-19 pandemic. The momentary pause will delay the cutting and lifting operations of the vessel until …
Read More »CREW KIDNAPPINGS SURGE IN GULF OF GUINEA, IMB SAYS
15 JULY 2020 The Gulf of Guinea off West Africa is increasingly dangerous for commercial shipping, accounting for just over 90% of maritime kidnappings worldwide. Meanwhile ship hijackings are at their lowest since 1993, the IMB said. In total, IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre recorded 98 incidents of piracy and armed …
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